The Iron Sheik is, without question, one of the most iconic figures in the history of pro wrestling. Even if you never followed wrestling, odds are you’re familiar with the man born Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri
him. He’s charismatic, entertaining, and arguably the greatest villain in the history of the sport. But what about the man behind the persona? What is he like outside of the ring? The new documentaryThe Sheik takes you down that path and reveals the triumphs, tragedies, and emotions that led him from an upbringing in Iran to becoming an American legend. The Sheik was kind enough to sit down and chat with us — in his own, occasionally understandable way — about his career, his film, and take on our Lucky 7 questions.

Thank you so much for talking with us. I’ve been a fan of yours since I was a kid. For me, you were the reason that “Hulkamania” existed.
Rob, bubba, everybody know without the Iron Sheik there never be the Hulkamania. In 1984, I most hated man on the TV because of the Iran hostage situation. Hulk Hogan, best baby face. My boss Vince McMahon make me champion and everybody want to kill me. Every arena I have to hide in ambulance so the fans don’t fuck with me. Hulk Hogan beat me to become the biggest champion of all time. This way the fans know who is the legend and who make history.

What can you tell us about your new movie?
My movie I very proud. Everybody know Iron Sheik the wrestler. Nobody know Iron Sheik the person. You never see my up and my down. You don’t know why I come to the America, how I become champion and how I make it to the Hall of Fame. I have to go through more than 10000 men to become the legend. This way I be happy that the people see me and they know about the real Iron Sheik.

What would you say were the best matches of your career?
My best matches? Easy, bubba.
1) Six year nobody beat the WWF champion Bob Backlund. I come to most famous arena in the world, Madison Square Garden. I break that jabroni neck with my camel clutch. This way I become world champion and biggest name in the wrestling business.
2) I beat the fuck out of the Sergeant Slaughter in most famous boot camp match. When the Iran and the USA in war everybody want to see us kill each other. This become feud of the year and everybody see that I am the real.

What do you think about present day wrestling?
Today, wrestling not same than before. I still watch it because my first boss Vince McMahon greatest promoter on the earth. He know what make the people happy. The new generation performer I respect all them because they always respect the legend.

Can you tell us a backstage story we may not have heard?
Oh, I have too many. One I love was with the Bruno Samartino. When he world champion everybody all of over the world try to fuck with him. One night in the MSG the New York Jet football team come see us. They try to get smart with him and they want to fuck with him. They come into the locker room and start fight. I was in the shower and none of the other wrestlers save him. I come out in my towel and I take seven fucking jabroni football players one by one. I suplex every one on their fucking head. They all run out and cry like little bitch. Because I was a real shooter. Forever I get the respect from the boys in the locker room because I treat my business with the respect.

What was your first exposure to Playboy magazine?
Bubba, I move to the America. Only two thing I learn for the English. The Sesame Street and the Playboy. They help me become USA class.

What movie scared you the most as a kid?
Bubba, I don’t watch too much movie but I remember I see fucking Exorcist or exercise whatever the fuck you call it I almost shit my pants.

If you were on death row, what would your last meal be?
Shish Kebob lamb with the good rice and the cold beer.

What’s the first song you knew the words to?
Happy birthday. I remember because I love the cake.

What was your first car?
The German Volkswagen.

What is your pop culture blind spot?
What the fuck you mean?

What’s the biggest lie you ever told?
That I hate the America and the people. In the real I love the America and all the people. They give me chance to become a legend and be the biggest bad guy in the history of the earth.